Indigo - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Indigofera tinctoria (True indigo) is a large shrub, growing 5-10 ft tall and is native to SE Asia. The refreshingly bright, pea-like flowers bloom heavily in June and July, and can sometimes continue intermittently all the way to September. It is grown in USDA Zone 5-11, and prefers full sun and regular water. Apart from its use in making indigo dyes, this shrub has a long ethnomedical history. It is a great garden plant that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

When mature, the plant is hardy to temperatures as low as 30 degrees F for a short period of time. Planting in pots and keeping them indoors during cold weather is also an option for gardeners living in regions with cold weather. To ensure healthy growth, Indigofera tinctoria needs a long growing season. As the flowers bloom on new growth, it is important to prune the plant in late winter or early spring to promote fresh and abundant blooming. With the correct care, this plant will reward you with beautiful blooms and a pleasant, vibrant atmosphere in the garden.

Even more, you can make Indigo dye that has been used for a long time. The leaves of the plant contain a substance called indican, which must be treated with a special process to make the dye. To make the dye, you put the fresh leaves of the plant in water for at least 12 hours, stirring it often. When you are done, you will have a blue substance which is the dye.

Desert Indigo is great for a butterfly garden.

Long spikes of deep indigo blue, tubular flowers are borne continuously from spring to frost on this vigorous perennial Salvia. Salvia 'Indigo Spires' is a cross between Salvia longispicata and Salvia farinacea. The plant was discovered as a chance hybrid at the Huntington Botanical Gardens, growing near the presumed parent plants.

Impressively statured herbaceous shrub with thickened veins and bright pink flowers. Very showy and useful plant. The leaves contain 0.4 - 1.3% indican, which can be hydrolyzed and oxidized to produce the classic Blue Indigo Dye. A dark Blue dye is obtained from the twigs. It is combined with Turmeric (Curcuma longa) to make Green, and with Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) to make Purple. The source of famous dye Assam Indigo, it was formerly cultivated on quite a large scale as a dye plant in China and India. Fresh juice from the leaves is used on Okinawa Island, Japan as a popular remedy for athlete's foot.

See Article about this plant: Strobilanthes, Chinese Rain Bell - a source of Blue, Green, and Purple.

It's a larger shrub growing 5-10 ft tall in sunny to semi-shade areas. Indigofera gerardiana is tolerant of drought, however for best results it should be watered regularly, about twice a week, making sure the soil does not dry out. It's a deciduous plant and grows in USDA zones 7-10. It adds color to the garden and attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators.

This large shrub will flower all summer as long as it gets adequate sun and water. For best growth, place the Indigofera gerardiana in a position that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day, but it will also tolerate light shade. It should be watered regularly, about one to two times a week depending on the soil, checking for dryness and making sure the soil does not dry out.

For colder regions, gardeners can grow plant in a pot. For pot grown plants, water more regularly during hot summer months and make sure the soil is not completely dried out. Feed the plant with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season and keep the soil slightly moist.

Indigofera gerardiana is a large flowering shrub that adds color to the garden and attracts pollinators. While it's relatively easy to care for, it needs regular water and full sun to semi shade to reach its full potential. For colder regions, growing it in a pot and making sure the soil is slightly moist will help the plant survive the winter and flower in the summer.

A short-lived herbaceous plant with creeping or scrambling stems. Its alternately arranged leaves are once-compound with 5-11 leaflets these oblong leaflets have hairless or sparsely hairy upper surfaces and densely hairy undersides. Its small pink or pinkish-orange pea-shaped flowers are arranged in elongated clusters.

I. spicata is native to Africa, Madagascar and throughout South and Southeast Asia, and was introduced to the Americas in tropical areas. It effectively controls soil erosion, even under heavy rainfall on slopes, hills and undulating land.

This plant contains indospicine and is notably toxic to many grazing animals.

Pleasantly fragrant, six inch white flowers flushed purple or indigo in the throat.

Datura discolor is similar to Datura stramonium

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The genus Salvia, commonly known as sage, is one of the largest and most diverse among flowering plants. It includes everything from compact culinary herbs to towering tropical shrubs, many of which are prized for their fragrant foliage, vibrant blooms, and appeal to pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. Leaf textures range from soft and fuzzy to rough and resinous, often releasing strong herbal or camphor-like scents when touched. Inflorescences may be upright or arching, while the flowers themselves come in a range of colors depending on the species, including purple, blue, red, pink, white, and yellow.

Most Salvia species prefer full sun and well-drained soil, although some tolerate part shade. Growth rates are generally moderate. Depending on the species, they can range in size from low groundcovers to large woody perennials. Many types are drought-tolerant once established, while others thrive with regular moisture.

Cold tolerance varies widely within the genus. Some perennial species, like Salvia officinalis and Salvia nemorosa, are cold-hardy and survive in USDA Zones 5-7, often tolerating winter lows down to around 0F. Others, such as tropical or subtropical sages, are sensitive to frost and best suited to Zones 9-11.

Many Salvia species grow well in containers and are used in herb gardens, flower beds, or wildlife plantings. Several are edible and used in cooking (e.g. Salvia officinalis), while others are ornamental or mildly toxic in large quantities. Some may be confused with similar genera like Lepechinia or Rosmarinus (now also included in Salvia).

Notable species:

Salvia dominica is a strongly aromatic shrub native to the Middle East. It produces pale yellow flowers and thrives in rocky, dry conditions. Mature plants can grow 3-4 ft tall. It is cold-hardy to about 25F and suitable for USDA Zones 9-10.

Salvia 'Indigo Spires' is a hybrid cultivar with long, waving spikes of deep blue-purple flowers. Popular in warm gardens for its long blooming period and bold color, it performs best in full sun. It is not frost-hardy and should be overwintered indoors in Zones below 9. Cold hardiness is limited to about 30-32F.

Salvia karwinskii is a large subtropical species with soft, fuzzy green leaves and long, pendulous clusters of coral-pink to salmon flowers. Native to cloud forests of Central America, it prefers high humidity and partial shade. It is frost-sensitive and best grown in USDA Zones 10-11, tolerating occasional dips to around 35F.

Salvia namaensis is a drought-tolerant shrub from southern Africa, valued for its fine silver foliage and pale blue flowers. Compact and airy in form, it does well in dry, sunny locations. It is hardy to USDA Zone 8 and can tolerate brief drops to 15-20F with good drainage.